Wests Tigers sign two outside backs

The Wests Tigers have announced the signing of outside backs Mahe Fonua and Corey Thompson for the coming two seasons.

The new two-year deal will see both players who are currently playing in the English Super League join Wests Tigers until at least the end of the 2019 NRL season.

A Tongan international in 2013 and 2015, Fonua will join Wests Tigers after spending the last two seasons at Hull FC. Named as part of the 2016 Super League Dream Team, Fonua also helped Hull FC win the 2016 Challenge Cup Final, scoring a try in the win.

Prior to his stint in England, the Southern Eastern Titans junior played 50 games for the Melbourne Storm between 2012 and 2015 — scoring 24 tries in that time — as well as helping Melbourne to the 2013 World Club Challenge title with a win over Leeds.

Thompson has played a total of 74 professional rugby league matches in his career, playing 35 games for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs between 2013 and 2015, before linking up with Widnes Vikings in 2016 where he made a further 39 appearances.

In his two seasons with the Vikings, Thompson scored an impressive 28 tries in 39 games, and finished the 2016 season as the second-highest try-scorer in Super League.

Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary said he looked forward to welcoming both players.

“Both Mahe and Corey have had strong careers in the English Super League and we look forward to them bringing that experience back to Wests Tigers,” said Cleary.

“We’re confident that their overseas experience coupled with their previous successful stints in the NRL will be a positive addition to our playing squad.”

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said that the pair had proven themselves overseas and that the club looked forward to welcoming them back to the NRL.

“Mahe and Corey have had success in the UK and we’re keen to see them bring this form to our club over the coming two years,” said Pascoe.

Both players will join Wests Tigers for pre-season training ahead of the 2018 NRL season.